American Democracy

Overview

• Power vested in the people.
• Exercised directly or through elected representatives.
• Based on principles like social contract, checks and balances, rule of law, equality, popular sovereignty, natural rights, federalism, individual liberty, and constitutionalism.

Key Principles

Social Contract & Natural Rights

• Influenced by John Locke and Montesquieu.
• Social contract: surrendering some rights for government protection.
• Consent of the governed and adherence to rules.

Checks and Balances / Separation of Powers

• Legislative, Executive, Judicial branches.
• Separation prevents concentration of power.
• Influenced by Montesquieu and James Madison.
• Articles 1, 2, and 3 of the Constitution define each branch.

Rule of Law

• Laws applied fairly; no one is above the law.
• Due process required for rights deprivation (5th Amendment).

Equality Under the Law

• Equal opportunities but not equal outcomes.

Popular Sovereignty

• Authority from the consent of the people through elections.

Natural Rights / Natural Laws

• Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness (Declaration of Independence).
• Unalienable rights.

Federalism

• Division and sharing of power between federal and state governments.
• Promotes local autonomy and policy experimentation.
• Can cause cooperation and conflict.

Republican Government

• Citizens' rights to act for themselves, not for a ruler.
• Political authority from the people.

Individual Liberty

• Freedom of speech, religion, press (1st Amendment).

Republicanism

• Representative government: citizens elect representatives.
• Democracy works better in smaller communities.

Constitutionalism

• Government actions limited by the Constitution.
• Ensures a limited government.

Major and Minor Preferences

• Majority preferences protected.
• Minorities protected from oppression.

Equal Protection / Bill of Rights

• First 10 amendments opposed by Anti-Federalists to limit federal power.
• 27 total amendments.

Elections

• Free and fair elections.

U.S. Constitution

• Foundation of U.S. government structure, powers, responsibilities.
• Protects individual rights.
• Establishes checks and balances.
• Founders: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton.

Three Branches of Government

Legislative Branch

• Makes laws through Congress, Senate, House of Representatives.
• Congress: 435 Representatives and 100 Senators (2 per state).
• House of Representatives elected by popular vote since 1789.

Executive Branch

• Executes laws; led by the President.
• Includes advisors, agencies, and cabinet members.

Judicial Branch

• Interprets laws; ensures constitutionality.
• Supreme Court sets examples for lower courts.
• Judges nominated by President, confirmed by Congress, serve life-term unless impeached.